Christmas, Birthdays and more

Because January is going to start off in a hurry, thought I'd quickly share some photos of what we've been up to. I can only upload 4 at a time, so more to come soon (so everyone believes we really did have 12 people at our house at one time I'll get those up too).

It was nice not traveling at Christmas--we really enjoy seeing the often taken for granted sites around our home this time of year. We hosted Christmas this year for both sides of the family--it was a lot of work, but a blast too.

Den had been traveling the first 3 weeks of December, so the snowstorm that hit the end of that week was a nice chance to just hang at home and an excuse to have a low key work week. Wed. Dec. 23 g'parents Wisconsin arrived. The same day I took Eddie to the doctor, took myself to the doctor to be diagnosed with bronchitis and sent home with anti-biotics (second time this year), and then in a panic, took Josie as she had the same thing I did and I worried she had progressed into something more than a cold. Doctor said she was on the edge and to watch her. She then told me the schedule of the doctor's office over the next couple days. So from 10-5, I was either at the doctor or en route to the doctor.

Den's parents stayed through until Sunday. Dec. 27. Needless to say, with J and me feeling pretty sick, it was a lowkey visit. The kids, Den, and g'parents did manage to make a snowman with the snow left after a day of rain and high temperatures. Eddie didn't want his picture taken much (posed anyway) and so I had to tell him he wasn't in the above photo--g'pa made some comment about me paying for that fib later as we chuckled at its success. Den assembled a wonderful Christmas Ham dinner. The kids were particularly upset to see them leave.


Not to worry, another set of guests would soon be arriving. I must add here that wehave a set of neighbors with kids the same age as ours and knowing we had barely 24 hours before the next set of visitors arrived, they took both Josie and Eddie for a 2-hour playdate on Sunday while Den and I ran around the house knocking out a 'to do' list--it's amazing what 2 parents can accomplish at home with no kids underfoot. Yay!
Monday was a full day of activitiy not at all related to the guests about to arrive, but arrive they did. G'parents Ohio came Monday, Dec. 28 right around their usual rush hour arrival, Uncle K. came in late that night right at bedtime. It was nice that Eddie could refresh his memory of Uncle K. since they were bunking together that night.
Tues. Aunt L., Uncle D. and their 2 boys (ages 2 and 3--6 months apart) arrived in the morning. We had to take 2 cars to pick them up from the airport. Den and I weren't home when Auntie M. showed up later that afternoon.
The kids on the couch are actually watching Uncle K. and g'pa play with a new remote controlled airplane Uncle K. got for Christmas--got to remember to post photos of it flying in the house...
And it wouldn't be Christmas-time without it being Den's birthday. I'm so proud of myself, the person who hates to cook--made him cinniman buns he loves (and they tasted great even after I dropped the container on the floor the night before and they popped open). I then made him a batch of brownies (he didn't want cake) and we all (12 of us) sang HB and enjoyed ice cream after freezing to death taking in a local tree and light exhibit. The fire alarm did not go off and no one got sick from my cooking, so I'd call it a sucess--and I had minimal supervision--but thanks to Auntie M for the cullinary guidance.
Kevin and Auntie M. left on New Years Day--Friday, G'parents left early afternoon on Sat. and I began the laundry and then Aunt L., Uncle D. and kids left Sat. late afternoon. We then were crazy enough to have friends who are our local family over for homemade sushi (rescheduled due to illness from New Years). It worked out that the house was clean from recent guests and the table had all its leaves in, so no problem to accomodate 13 people...and I'm still full as I type this.
Now to rest---next weekend.